Truth. It is undeniable. Regardless of what post-modernity would tell us, there is no escaping truth.
The Lord has been teaching this to me lately. I have been overwhelmed with what seems to have been both the most difficult and yet most wonderful 4 months of my life. Many changes, many difficulties, many blessings. Truthfully, I am tired.
I was thinking today, as I fought an on-coming migraine, and zombied through the first 4 hours of the morning, fixed breakfast, sorted and washed laundry, dressed little ones, and began picking up the endless amount of toys, books, and mis-matched socks that seem to accumulate in a matter of minutes, of truth.
I am feeling much.
I wished for 10 spare minutes to journal out my thoughts. That, I was sure, would be sufficient for the day. The Lord gave them, and I was left still feeling overwhelmed.
I wished for a quiet moment to read a Psalm, and pray it back to the Lord. Surely, if expressing my difficulties in my journal was not sufficient, that was truly what I needed. Does not the Lord bid us seek his face? The Lord gave that too, and I was refreshed, and encouraged, but my troubles did not disappear.
I wished for quiet. Naptime came.
I wished for a vacation. The Lord reminded me of the fun-filed day I was to have upon the morrow.
I wished for a moment to cast my cares upon him, and ask for grace for the rest of what was now becoming one of the longest days in my life. The Lord gave it all.
And here I am, finally humbled with the realization that though I wished and wished for my troubles to be solved in a dozen different ways, God had a better plan that has taught infinitely more.
Regardless of how I am feeling, His truth stands. How easy it is, sometimes, to listen to our feelings (girls, you know well what I mean!). (Yet even our own logic and reasoning can speak to us of what would be best for our lives.) How often, though, do we heed the simple truths of the gospel? When heart and head cannot unite, truth always stands resolute.
There are still 6 hours more to pass before the little ones will be put to bed, and the house will rest. I am sure I will wash another sinkful of dishes, pick up another pair of dirty socks, wipe yet another runny rose, and change half a dozen diapers. I am sure that the plans that I had for today will be thwarted, as they already have been, at least once more. And I am sure that in a moment of desparation I shall wish for something I don't have... and tomorrow it will all begin afresh!
Yet God bids us, trust. How could I doubt that He knows best?
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace.
(Refrain)
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end.
(Refrain)
5 comments:
I have to say that, even as a guy, this makes me ashamed of my own (although probably fewer) "crises" when I feel like I'm buried under school, etc. Thank you for the encouragement to not get buried in feelings but to look to God's truth.
Ashlee thank you so much again.
This post really encouraged me! I love the way you write. :-D
-Rachel
Oh darling... that part about the baby...how can I possibly express how that makes me feel?? We prayed SO hard for three years for another little one, and twice it was to be...yet twice again, the Lord saw fit to bless us in other ways. I confess it was hard for me to think other ways could possibly be blessings, and how it could possibly be better for us not to have that baby. I still don't understand it all, but now I know, that no matter what, God has willed this for His good pleasure, and for our sanctification... so why do I complain?? Even when I am so dry and thirsty for refreshment from this monotony I often find hard to bear.
You bless me love...in greater ways than you can ever know. I thank our God daily for our friendship.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
O Ashlee...
You are so very observant and you describe quite simply what I try to explain in so many words! It is such a blessing. I need this reminder so many times, (Chloe is a witness :P) and sometimes it is so hard to accept that God knows what he is doing, and all we have to do is place our trust in him... And yet, sometimes it is sooo hard to do that!! The hymn truly is an encouragement—as was your post!! Thank you dearest!
(Psst! What happened to the blog title?! I liked it! :P You are probably wanting to do something with 'evanescent', right?)
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